Inductive touch screen with antenna mode for use in a communication device and methods for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A touch screen can be used in a communication device having a transceiver that communicates radio frequency (RF) signals. The touch screen includes a display layer for displaying information. An inductor grid includes a plurality of inductive elements. A switch matrix selects one of the inductive elements in response to a selection signal in a first mode of operation, and couples together a group of inductive elements to form an antenna in a second mode of operation. A dual mode driver generates the selection signal and, in the first mode of operation, drives the selected inductive element to detect a touch object in proximity to the selected inductive element and generates touch screen data in response thereto. In a second mode of operation, the dual mode driver couples the antenna formed by the group of inductive elements to the transceiver to send and receive the RF signals.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present application is related to the following U.S. patentapplications:

INDUCTIVE TOUCH SCREEN WITH INTEGRATED ANTENNA FOR USE IN ACOMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH, having Ser. No.12/______, filed on ______;

DUAL MODE INDUCTIVE TOUCH SCREEN FOR USE IN A CONFIGURABLE COMMUNICATIONDEVICE AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH, having Ser. No. 12/______, filedon ______;

INDUCTIVE TOUCH SCREEN AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH, having Ser. No.12/______, filed on ______;

the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

NOT APPLICABLE

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

NOT APPLICABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to wireless communication and moreparticularly to transceivers used to support wireless communications inunlicensed spectra.

2. Description of Related Art

Display screens capable of touch input or touch screens, are used in awide variety of electronic equipment including portable, or handheld,devices. Such handheld devices include personal digital assistants(PDA), CD players, MP3 players, DVD players, AM/FM radios. Each of thesehandheld devices includes one or more integrated circuits to provide thefunctionality of the device. Examples of touch screens include resistivetouch screens and capacitive touch screens that include a display layerand sensing layer that is coupled to detect when a user has touched thescreen and to resolve the location of the touch. By coordinating thelocation of the touch with the information displayed on the displaylayer at that location, a touch sensitive graphical user interface canbe implemented.

Other examples of handheld devices include communication devices thatoperate in a communication system. Such communication systems range fromnational and/or international cellular telephone systems to the Internetto point-to-point in-home wireless networks to radio frequencyidentification (RFID) systems. Each type of communication system isconstructed, and hence operates, in accordance with one or morecommunication standards. For instance, wireless communication systemsmay operate in accordance with one or more standards including, but notlimited to, RFID, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services(AMPS), digital AMPS, global system for mobile communications (GSM),code division multiple access (CDMA), local multi-point distributionsystems (LMDS), multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS),and/or variations thereof.

Depending on the type of wireless communication system, a wirelesscommunication device, such as a cellular telephone, two-way radio,personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer (PC), laptopcomputer, home entertainment equipment, RFID reader, RFID tag, et ceteracommunicates directly or indirectly with other wireless communicationdevices. For direct communications (also known as point-to-pointcommunications), the participating wireless communication devices tunetheir receivers and transmitters to the same channel or channels (e.g.,one of the plurality of radio frequency (RF) carriers of the wirelesscommunication system) and communicate over that channel(s). For indirectwireless communications, each wireless communication device communicatesdirectly with an associated base station (e.g., for cellular services)and/or an associated access point (e.g., for an in-home or in-buildingwireless network) via an assigned channel. To complete a communicationconnection between the wireless communication devices, the associatedbase stations and/or associated access points communicate with eachother directly, via a system controller, via the public switch telephonenetwork, via the Internet, and/or via some other wide area network.

The disadvantages of conventional approaches will be evident to oneskilled in the art when presented the disclosure that follows.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a portable device having aninductive touch screen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial/schematic diagram of an embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of inductive touchscreen components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a driver 310 inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a driver 310′ inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of measurement circuit 330 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of measurement circuit 330′ inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 356 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a further schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 356 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of inductor grid 320″ in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a transceiver 358 andprogrammable antenna interface 368 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a transceiver 358 andprogrammable antenna interface 368 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a transceiver 358 andprogrammable antenna interface 368 in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of programmable antenna interface368 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 366 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 366 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of communication device 10 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of RF transceiver 125 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a schematic block diagram of communication device 10 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of RF transceiver 125′ inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 28 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a portable device having aninductive touch screen in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, a portable device 6 is shown, such as a personal digitalassistant (PDA), MP3 player, video player, electronic book or othermedia player, tablet personal computer (PC) or other computer,smartphone or other wireless telephony device, remote controller,universal remote controller or other control device, a game controlleror other gaming device, etc. In particular, portable device 6 optionallyincludes one or more transceivers, such as a wireless telephonytransceiver, Bluetooth transceiver, wireless local area networktransceiver, RF identification (RFID) transceiver, or other transceiverfor wireless communication, either directly or indirectly, with one ormore remote stations.

Portable device 6 includes an inductive touch screen 8 that is used aspart of a user interface. Inductive touch screen 8 includes a displayscreen, such as a liquid crystal display, plasma display or otherdisplay for displaying text and graphics such as images, icons, videoand other media. In operation, inductive touch screen 8 can interactwith a user by displaying information and responding to either the touchor proximity of a touch object such as a user's finger, stylus or otherobject to receive user input. In the example shown on the display screenof inductive touch screen 8, the user is prompted to select either “yes”or “no” by “touching” the corresponding box with a touch object.

Inductive touch screen 8 includes one or more functions and features ofthe present invention that will be discussed in conjunction with FIGS.2-28 that follow.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention. In particular acommunication system is shown that includes a communication device 10,such as portable device 6, that communicates real-time data 24 and/ornon-real-time data 26 wirelessly with one or more other devices such asbase station 18, non-real-time device 20, real-time device 22, andnon-real-time and/or real-time device 25. In addition, communicationdevice 10 can also optionally communicate over a wireline connectionwith non-real-time device 12, real-time device 14, non-real-time and/orreal-time device 16.

In an embodiment of the present invention the wireline connection 28 canbe a wired connection that operates in accordance with one or morestandard protocols, such as a universal serial bus (USB), Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 488, IEEE 1394 (Firewire),Ethernet, small computer system interface (SCSI), serial or paralleladvanced technology attachment (SATA or PATA), or other wiredcommunication protocol, either standard or proprietary. The wirelessconnection can communicate in accordance with a wireless networkprotocol such as wireless high definition (WiHD), next generation mobilesystems (NGMS), IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WIMAX, orother wireless network protocol, a wireless telephony data/voiceprotocol such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution(EDGE), Personal Communication Services (PCS), or other mobile wirelessprotocol or other wireless communication protocol, either standard orproprietary. Further, the wireless communication path can includeseparate transmit and receive paths that use separate carrierfrequencies and/or separate frequency channels. Alternatively, a singlefrequency or frequency channel can be used to bi-directionallycommunicate data to and from the communication device 10.

Communication device 10 can be a mobile phone such as a cellulartelephone, a personal digital assistant, game console, personalcomputer, laptop computer, or other device that performs one or morefunctions that include communication of voice and/or data via wirelineconnection 28 and/or the wireless communication path. In an embodimentof the present invention, the real-time and non-real-time devices 12, 1416, 18, 20, 22 and 25 can be personal computers, laptops, PDAs, mobilephones, such as cellular telephones, devices equipped with wirelesslocal area network or Bluetooth transceivers, FM tuners, TV tuners,digital cameras, digital camcorders, or other devices that eitherproduce, process or use audio, video signals or other data orcommunications.

In operation, the communication device includes one or more applicationsthat include voice communications such as standard telephonyapplications, voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications, localgaming, Internet gaming, email, instant messaging, multimedia messaging,web browsing, audio/video recording, audio/video playback, audio/videodownloading, playing of streaming audio/video, office applications suchas databases, spreadsheets, word processing, presentation creation andprocessing and other voice and data applications. In conjunction withthese applications, the real-time data 26 includes voice, audio, videoand multimedia applications including Internet gaming, etc. Thenon-real-time data 24 includes text messaging, email, web browsing, fileuploading and downloading, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 10has an inductive touch screen 8 that includes one or more functions andfeatures of the present invention that will be discussed in conjunctionwith FIGS. 3-28 that follow.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial/schematic diagram of an embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, a portion of an inductive touch screen, such as inductivetouch screen 8, is shown that includes a display layer 299 coupled to aninductor grid 320 via an optional intermediate layer 297. The diagram isnot drawn to scale, and in particular, the thickness of the displaylayer 299, optional intermediate layer 297 and inductor grid have beenexpanded. Display layer 299 can include a LCD layer, plasma layer orother display layer. Inductor grid 320 includes an array or other gridof inductive elements. In operation, the grid position 298 of either thetouch by, or proximity of, a touch object such as finger 296 isdetermined using inductor grid 320. In particular, one or more inductiveelements of inductor grid 320 are used to determine grid position 298based on a change in the magnetic field in these inductive elementscaused by the proximity or touch by touch object 296.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the display layer 299includes a metallic sublayer, a ferrite impregnated sublayer or othermagnetic structure. Display layer 299 is elastic and responds to thetouch of touch object 296 by deflecting toward the inductor grid 320 inthe region around grid position 298. The change in the magnetic fieldcaused by deflection of the magnetic structure is detected by theinductive element or elements in the region of the grid position 298 andis used by the inductive touch screen to detect touch by touch object296 as well as the grid position 298. In this case, optionalintermediate layer 297 can include an air gap or other gap, acompressible layer, an electrical insulator that is magneticallyconductive or can be omitted from the design.

In another embodiment, the touch object 296 can be replaced by a styluswith a ferromagnetic tip or other magnetic element that causes adetectable change in the magnetic field of one or more inductiveelements in the region of the grid position 298.

In a further embodiment, the touch object 296, such as the finger shown,causes a detectable change in the magnetic field of one or moreinductive elements in the region of the grid position 298. In eithercase, optional intermediate layer 297 can include an air gap or othergap, an electrical insulator that is magnetically conductive, anothermagnetically conductive material or can be omitted from the design.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of inductive touchscreen components in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, portions of a touch screen, such as touch screen 8, areshown including inductor grid 320 of inductive elements 300, switchmatrices 302 and 304 and driver 310. As shown in conjunction with FIG. 3inductor grid 320 is coupled to a display layer, such as display layer299 to provide the screen display functionality of the touch screen andoptionally to provide a magnetic layer whose displacement is used inconjunction with inductor grid 320 to create a detectable magneticdisturbance in response to the touch of a touch object such as a fingeror stylus. In an embodiment of the present invention, the inductiveelements 300 are made up of individual coils that are arranged on asingle layer of a substrate, film or other supporting material.

In operation, the switch matrices 302 and 304 select individualinductive elements 300 of the inductor grid 329 in response to theselection signals 306 and 308. In the particular configuration shown,selection signal 306 commands switch matrix 302 to select a row ofinductor grid 320. Selection signal 308 commands switch matrix 304 toselect a column of inductor grid 320. A particular individual inductiveelement 300 in row X and column Y of inductor grid 320 can be coupled todriver 310 by the selection signals 306 and 308 that indicate thisparticular row/column combination.

Driver 310 drives the selected inductive element to detect whether ornot there is a touch object in proximity to the selected inductiveelement. By scanning the inductive elements 300 of inductor grid 320,driver 310 generates data that indicates which of the inductive elementscorrespond to touches and their corresponding grid positions andgenerates touch screen data 316 in response thereto. For instance,driver 310 for an N×M inductor grid 320, driver 310 can scan each of theNM inductive elements in a single scan and then repeat the scan atperiodic intervals.

It should be noted that, unlike a resistive touch screens and capacitivetouch screens, the inductive touch screen that includes inductive grid320 can detect the presence and grid position of any number simultaneousor contemporaneous touches. For instance, in a touch screen applicationthat implements a virtual keyboard, the touch screen of FIG. 4 candetect that a user is touching three different keys, such as the “Ctrl”,“Alt” and “Del” keys of the keyboard. In another example, the touchscreen of FIG. 4 can detect that the user is touching the “shift” keywhile also touching the a letter key such as b, indicating the userwishes to type a “B” rather than a “b”. In a further example involving avirtual piano keyboard, the touch screen of FIG. 4 can detect that theuser is touching four piano keys corresponding to a single octave majorchord. These are merely three of the many user interface applicationswhere the simultaneous or contemporaneous touching of multiple touchpoints on a touch screen can be useful.

In addition, the touch screen that includes inductive grid 320 cangenerate touch screen data 316 that indicates touch motion, patterns andother more complex information. In particular, the scanning rate of grid320 by driver 310 can be selected to support applications where a userslides a touch object across the touch screen. The motion of the touchobject can be detected as a sequence of grid positions and representedby a corresponding sequence of touch screen data 316 that indicate adirection and/or velocity of travel of the touch object within the grid,and/or a pattern that can be used for more complex user interfaceapplications. Such a touch screen can be used for handwritingrecognition, gaming applications in addition to other applications ofthe device that contains such a touch screen

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a driver 310 inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a driver 310 isshown that includes a measurement circuit 330, row/column selector 332and controller 334 for driving a inductive element 300 implemented by asingle inductor.

In operation, the switch matrices 302 and 304 include a row matrix and acolumn matrix that are controlled by selection signals 306 and 308 thatinclude a row selection signal and a column selection signal. Driver 310includes a row/column selector 332 that generates the row selectionsignal (e.g. selection signal 306) and the column selection signal (e.g.selection signal 308) to sequentially scan the plurality of inductiveelements 300 as discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4. In thisembodiment, the driver 310 detects the touch object 324 in proximity toa selected inductive element 300 based on a measured self inductance ofthe single inductor. Measurement circuit drives the selected inductiveelement 300 via input/output lines 312 and 314 with a signal thatgenerates a magnetic field 322 in response. Interruptions to themagnetic field 322 caused by the proximity of the touch object 324reflect as changes to the self inductance of the single inductor. Thetouch object 324 can interrupt the magnetic field 322 by deflecting amagnetic layer in proximity to the inductive element 300 or directlybased on the magnetic content of the touch object itself. Measurementcircuit 330, in turn, detects the proximity of the touch object 324based on the change in self inductance.

Controller 334 generates control signals that command row/columnselector to generate selection signals 306 and 308 to scan the inductiveelements 300 of inductor grid 300. Controller 334 also generates controlsignals that command the measurement circuit 330 to drive a inductiveelement that has been selected and responds to sensing signals from themeasurement circuit 330 to detect changes in the self inductance of thesingle inductor. In an embodiment of the present invention, the driver310 via controller 344 executes a calibration procedure to detect aninitial self inductance for each of the inductive elements 300 ofinductor grid 320. During subsequent touch sensing, the controller 334of driver 310 generates touch screen data 316 based on a comparison ofthe measured self inductance and the initial self inductance. Inparticular, changes in the self inductance that are beyond a detectionthreshold can indicate the detection of a touch object in proximity to aselected inductive element 300. Controller 334 generates touch screendata 316 to indicate the detection of a touch object in proximity to aselected inductive element 300 along with the grid positioncorresponding to the particular inductive element 300 that was selected.

Controller 334 can include a shared or dedicated processing device. Sucha processing device, can be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The associated memory may be a single memory device or aplurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-onlymemory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory,static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device thatstores digital information. Note that when the controller 334 implementsone or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry,digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the associated memory storingthe corresponding operational instructions for this circuitry isembedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a driver 310′ inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, driver 310operates in a similar fashion as driver 310′ and includes many similarelements that are referred to by common reference numerals. In thisembodiment however, the plurality of inductive elements 300 areimplemented by an inductor pair/transformer 300′. Driver 310′ detectsthe touch object 324 in proximity to a selected inductive element 300′based on changes in the mutual inductance of the inductorpair/transformer 300′ caused by interruptions in the magnetic field 322′due to the proximity of touch object 324.

For example, measurement circuit 330′ and inductor pair/transformer 300′can operate as a magnetometer and react in a consistent fashion tochanges in the magnetic field caused by the proximity of touch object324. In this example, controller 334 can operate measurement circuit330′ without calibration or with minimal calibration of the inductiveelements 300′.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of measurement circuit 330 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular ameasurement circuit 330 includes a signal generator 340 and sensorcircuit 342. Switch matrices 302 and 304 that serve to couple theparticular inductive element 300 to the measurement circuit are notspecifically shown. Signal generator 346 responds to a control signal345, e.g. from controller 334, to drive one side of inductive element300′. In an embodiment of the present invention, signal generator 346includes an oscillator and sensing circuit 348 includes a resistor andoptional amplifier that generates sensing signal 347 as a voltage inresponse to the current coupled via mutual inductance to the other coil.

In another embodiment, signal generator 346 generates a pulse to drivethe selected inductive element 300′. Sensing circuit 348 generatessensing signal 347 in response to the pulse coupled via mutualinductance to the other coil. For example, sensing circuit 348 includesa resistor and optional amplifier that generates a voltage in proportionto the current through the inductive element 300, such as to measure thevariation in pulse decay due to the change in self inductance ofinductive element 300.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of measurement circuit 330′ inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular,measurement circuit 330′ operates in a similar fashion to measurementcircuit 330. In this embodiment however, the plurality of inductiveelements 300 are implemented by an inductor pair/transformer 300′.Signal generator 346 responds to a control signal 345, e.g. fromcontroller 334, to drive one side of inductive element 300′. In anembodiment of the present invention, signal generator 340 includes anoscillator and sensing circuit 342 includes a resistor and optionalamplifier that generates sensing signal 344 as a voltage in response tothe current through the other inductor in the inductor pair 300′ oranother inductor arranged to form an inductive divider. In anotherembodiment, signal generator 346 drives the inductive element 300′differentially and/or sensing circuit 348 includes a differentialamplifier for using differential mode signaling to detect changes inmutual inductance or to otherwise to generate and detect changes in amagnetic field due to the proximity of a touch object, such as a fingeror stylus.

In a further embodiment, signal generator 346 generates a pulse to drivethe selected inductive element 300. Sensing circuit 348 generatessensing signal 347 in response to the pulse. For example, sensingcircuit 348 includes a resistor and optional amplifier that generates avoltage in proportion to the current through the inductive element 300′,such as to measure the variation in pulse decay due to the change inmutual inductance of inductive element 300′.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention.Components of an inductive touch screen are shown that include similarelements to those previously discussed that are referred to by commonreference numerals. In this embodiment, the touch screen is implementedin a communication device such as communication device 10 that includesa processing module 225 that executes a communication application and atransceiver that communicates radio frequency (RF) signals with at leastone remote station in accordance with the communication application.Outbound data generated by the communication application of processingmodule 225 is sent to the transceiver 358 for transmission to remotesstations via outbound RF signals. Inbound RF signals received by thetransceiver 358 are converted to inbound data that are sent to theprocessing module 225 for use by the communication application.

The touch screen of FIG. 9 operates in a touch screen mode as describedin conjunction with FIGS. 1-8. In particular, inductor grid 320′, driver356, and switch matrices 352′ and 354′, operate in a touch screen modesimilarly to inductor grid 320, driver 310, and switch matrices 352 and354 to generate selection signals 306 and 308 to select an inductiveelement 300 or 300′ from inductor grid 320, to detect a touch object inproximity to the selected inductive element and to generate touch screendata in response thereto, such as touch screen data 316, that is send toprocessing module 225. In this fashion, such a touch screen can be usedin providing a user interface to the communication application ofprocessing module 225 or other applications of the communication device.

However, the touch screen of FIG. 9 is further capable of operating inan antenna mode of operation where a group of inductive elements 300 or300′ of inductor grid 320′ are switched by switch matrices 352′ and 354′to form an antenna that can be used by transceiver 358 to send andreceive RF signals. Optional antenna interface 173 can include adiplexor and/or a transmit/receive switch along with an impedancematching circuit to match the impedance of transceiver 358 to theantenna formed by the group of inductive elements 300 or 300′ ofinductor grid 320′.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 356 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The dual modedriver 356 includes similar elements to the driver 310 that are referredto by common reference numerals. In this figure, the operation of dualmode driver 356 in an antenna mode of operation is shown. In particular,controller 334 responds to mode control signal 362 from processingmodule 225 that indicates the antenna mode of operation by commandingrow/column selector 332 to generate selection signals 306 and 308 thatconfigure switch matrices 352′ and 354′ to couple together a group ofinductive elements 300 or 300′ of inductor grid 320′ to form an antenna,such as a near field coil, helix or other antenna. Such a group caninclude all of the inductive elements of inductor grid 320′, a singlecolumn or row of the inductor grid 320′, or other selected elements. Inan embodiment where each of the inductive elements 300′ include aninductor pair, switch matrixes 352′ and/or 354′ can include switchesthat couple individual inductors in the inductor pair together, inseries or in parallel.

Dual mode driver 356 includes mode switch 360 that responds to controlsignal 361 from controller 334 to couple the antenna formed by the groupof inductive elements 300 or 300′, via the I/O lines 312 and 314 andantenna interface 173, to transceiver 358. In operation, inbound RFsignals received from the antenna formed by the group of inductiveelements 300 or 300′ are coupled to the transceiver 358 via mode switch360 and switch matrices 352′ and 354′. Similarly, outbound RF signalsfrom the transceiver 358 are coupled to the antenna formed by the groupof inductive elements 300 or 300′ via mode switch 360 and switchmatrices 352′ and 354′.

In addition to indicating an antenna mode, mode control signal 362 canoptionally indicate a particular antenna mode of a plurality of antennamodes corresponding to different antenna configurations. For instance,these different antenna configurations can correspond to differentfrequencies or different frequency bands or other configurations thatare implemented by different groupings of the inductive elements 300 or300′ of inductor grid 320′. In response to the selection of a particularantenna configuration by mode control signal 362, controller 334 cancommand row/column selector 332 to generate selection signals 306 and308 to select the corresponding group of inductive elements 300 or 300′of inductor grid 320′.

FIG. 11 is a further schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 356 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure,the operation of dual mode driver 356 in touch screen mode of operationis shown. In particular, controller 334 responds to mode control signal362 from processing module 225 that indicates the touch screen mode ofoperation by commanding row/column selector 332 to generate selectionsignals 306 and 308 that configure switch matrices 352′ and 354′ to scanselected inductive elements 300 or 300′. Mode switch 360 responds tocontrol signal 361 from controller 334 to couple the selected inductiveelements 300 or 300′, via the I/O lines 312 and 314, to measurementcircuit for detection of possible touch objects in proximity to theselected inductive elements 300 or 300′. The touch screen data 316generated by controller 334 in response to this scanning and detectionis coupled to processing module 225 for use in conjunction with acommunication application or other applications of the communicationdevice.

In operation, processing module 225 can generate mode control signals362 to alternate between the antenna and touch screen modes. When nottransceiving, the transceiver 358 can be disabled to reduce power andthe touch screen mode can be selected exclusively. When transceiving,the antenna mode can be selected exclusively for greater throughput. Inother cases however, the processing module 225 can multiplex between theantenna and touch screen modes to service both functions forcontemporaneous operation of touch screen during communication. Inparticular, scans of inductive grid 320′ can be scheduled during gaps intransmission and reception to maintain the functionality of the touchscreen while continuing to communicate with one or more remote stations.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, inductor grid 320″ can replace inductor grids 320 or 320′,switch matrix 364 can replace switch matrices 352/354 or 352′/354′ anddriver 310″ can replace drivers 310, 310′ or 356 to operate in a similarfashion to the previously described examples. Unlike the column/rowstructure of inductor grid 320, in this configuration, each inductiveelement 300 is individually coupled to switch matrix 364. Whileinductive elements 300 are shown, inductive elements 300′ could be usedin a similar fashion.

Switch matrix 364 operates based on selection signal 307 from driver310″ to select individual inductive elements for touch screen operation.Switch matrix 364 optionally can further operate based on selectionsignal 307 from driver 310″ to select one or more different groups ofinductive elements 300 or 300′ for antenna mode operation in conjunctionwith transceiver 358 and processing module 225.

Further, inductor grid 320″ can operate in a truly simultaneous mode ofoperation where I/O lines 313 include not only I/O lines 312 and 314 buta separate set of I/O lines. In this fashion, switch matrix 364 canselect a group of inductive elements 300 from a portion of the grid suchas the top, bottom, side or periphery that that can be coupled totransceiver 358 while using the remaining inductive elements 300 fortouch screen operation. In this mode or operation, a communicationdevice, such as communication device 10, can maintain full use of aportion of the touch screen while having uninterrupted usage of thetransceiver 358. In particular, when only a portion of the touch screenis active, the entire display surface can be used for display, withavailable touch portions limited to the portions of the inductor grid320″ that have been reserved for touch screen use.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of inductivetouch screen components in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, inductor grid 320′″ operates in a touch screen mode withswitch matrix 364 and 310″ as described in conjunction with the exampleof FIG. 12. In this embodiment however, inductor grid includes aplurality of coupling elements 301 for coupling a group of inductiveelements 300 to together to form an antenna, such as a near field coil,helix or other antenna. Such a group can include all of the inductiveelements 300 of inductor grid 320′ as shown. In other embodiments asingle column or row of the inductor grid 320′, or other selectedelements can be coupled together. In an embodiment where the inductiveelements 300 are implemented as inductive elements 300′ that include aninductor pair, coupling elements 301 can further couple individualinductors in the inductor pair together, in series or in parallel.

Further, inductor grid 320′″ can also operate in a truly simultaneousmode of operation where I/O lines 313 include not only I/O lines 312 and314 but a separate set of I/O lines. Conductive elements 301 can couplea group of inductive elements 300 from a portion of the grid such as thetop, bottom, side or periphery that that can be coupled to transceiver358 while using the remaining inductive elements 300 for touch screenoperation. In this mode or operation, a communication device, such ascommunication device 10, can maintain full use of a portion of the touchscreen while having uninterrupted usage of the transceiver 358. In afurther embodiment, filtering in driver 310 and antenna interface 173can eliminate or reduce bleed-through from the antenna mode and thetouch screen mode and vice versa to allow simultaneous use of the fillinductor grid 320′″ for both purposes.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of inductor grid 320″ in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the couplingelements 301 included in the inductor grid 320 and the coupling elements301 that couple the inductor grid to optional antenna interface 173 areimplemented via capacitors that provide a virtual short circuit or otherlow impedance at the frequency band of transceiver 358 while providing avirtual open circuit or other high impedance at the oscillationfrequency, pulse frequency or the pulse frequency components used bydriver 310″ to drive the inductive elements 300.

While two capacitors are shown to couple the inductor grid 320″ to theantenna interface 173, a single capacitor can be employed and/orincluded in the antenna interface 173.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a transceiver 358 andprogrammable antenna interface 368 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. This embodiment operates in a similar fashion tothe embodiments of 9-12, except that an external antenna 369 is coupledto transceiver 358 via a programmable antenna interface 368.Programmable antenna interface 368 includes a tunable impedance matchingcircuit that operates via an inductor implemented by a group ofinductive elements 300 or 300′.

In operation, control signal 167 indicates a transceiver mode ofoperation. Dual mode driver 366 operates in response to control signal167 to generate a selection signal 307 to select a group of theinductive elements 300 or 301 to operate as an inductor for programmableantenna interface 368 and to couple this inductor via a mode switch toprogrammable antenna interface 368. In the alternative, switch matrix364 can be used directly to couple the inductor formed by the selectedgroup of inductive elements 300 or 300′ to programmable antennainterface 368.

In a similar fashion to the implementation of FIGS. 9-12, control signal167 can select a particular group to implement a particular inductanceto tune the programmable antenna interface 368 to one of a plurality offrequencies, frequency bands, antennas, etc. Further, programmableantenna interface 368 can also respond to control signal 167 toconfigure or tune one or more internal components to one of a pluralityof frequencies, frequency bands, antennas, etc.

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a transceiver 358 andprogrammable antenna interface 368 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. In particular, transceiver 358 includes aplurality of transceivers, such as transceivers 382 and 384. Controlsignal 167 is used by transceiver 358 to select a particular transceiverfor use. For example, transceiver 358 can include separate transceiversfor operating in the 900 MHz frequency band, and the 2.4 GHz/5.2 GHzfrequency bands. The choice of transceiver and the choice of frequencyband is indicated via control signal 167 generated by a communicationapplication of a processing module such as processing module 225.Programmable antenna interface 173 and the inductor implemented via theselected group of inductive elements 300 or 300′ form a programmable L/Ccircuit 380 that responds to control signal 167 to provide impedancematching to the antenna 372 at the selected frequency and/or frequencyband.

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a transceiver 358 andprogrammable antenna interface 368 in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention. In particular, this embodiment operates in asimilar fashion to the embodiment of FIG. 16, however, control signal167 further selects one of a plurality of antennas 392, 394 or otherwiseselects an antenna configuration of selectable antenna 390. In thisfashion, programmable L/C circuit 380 is controllable based on controlsignal 167 to match the transceiver 358 to the antenna 390, based on theantenna configuration, frequency band and/or frequency.

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of programmable antenna interface368 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, programmable antenna interface 368 operates in conjunctionwith an inductor formed by the selected group of inductive elements frominductor grid 320″ to form programmable L/C circuit 380. Programmableantenna interface 368 includes a programmable capacitor 374 thatincludes, for instance, a plurality of fixed capacitors that can becoupled together by an internal switch matrix to generate one or morecapacitors of controllable capacitance.

Programmable antenna interface 368 forms a matching circuit with theinductor formed by the selected group of inductive elements frominductor grid 320″. This group inductance and the programmable capacitorare controllable based on control signal 167 to match the transceiver358 to the antenna 390, based on the antenna configuration, frequencyband and/or frequency.

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 366 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The dual modedriver 366 includes similar elements to the drivers 310 and 356 that arereferred to by common reference numerals. In this figure, the operationof dual mode driver 366 in a transceiver mode of operation is shown. Inparticular, controller 334 responds to mode control signal 167 fromprocessing module 225 that indicates a transceiver mode of operation bycommanding a selection generator selector 333 to generate selectionsignals 307 to configure switch matrix 364 to couple together a group ofinductive elements 300 or 300′ of inductor grid 320″ to form aninductor. Such a group can include all of the inductive elements ofinductor grid 320″, a single column or row of the inductor grid 320″, orother selected elements and can include a programmable inductance. In anembodiment where each of the inductive elements 300′ include an inductorpair, switch matrix 364 can include switches that couple individualinductors in the inductor pair together, in series or in parallel.

Dual mode driver 366 includes mode switch 360 that responds to controlsignal 361 from controller 334 to couple the inductor formed by thegroup of inductive elements 300 or 300′, via the I/O lines 312 and 314to programmable antenna interface 368. In operation, this inductance andthe programmable antenna interface 368 form a matching network for theantenna and the transceiver 358.

In addition to indicating a transceiver mode, mode control signal 167can optionally indicate a frequency band, frequency, or a particularantenna mode of a plurality of antenna modes corresponding to differentantenna configurations. For instance, these different antennaconfigurations can correspond to different frequencies or differentfrequency bands, beam patterns or other antenna configurations. Inresponse to the mode control signal 167, controller 334 can commandselection generator 333 to generate selection signal 307 to select thecorresponding group of inductive elements 300 or 300′ of inductor grid320′.

FIG. 20 is a further schematic block diagram of dual mode driver 366 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure,the operation of dual mode driver 366 in touch screen mode of operationis shown. In particular, controller 333 responds to mode control signal167 from processing module 225 that indicates the touch screen mode ofoperation by commanding selection generator 333 to generate selectionsignal 307 that configure switch matrix 364 to scan selected inductiveelements 300 or 300′. Mode switch 360 responds to control signal 361from controller 334 to couple the selected inductive elements 300 or300′, via the I/O lines 312 and 314, to measurement circuit 330 fordetection of possible touch objects in proximity to the selectedinductive elements 300 or 300′. The touch screen data 316 generated bycontroller 334 in response to this scanning and detection is coupled toprocessing module 225 for use in conjunction with a communicationapplication or other applications of the communication device.

In operation, processing module 225 can generate mode control signals167 to alternate between the transceiver and touch screen modes. Whennot transceiving, the transceiver 358 can be disabled to reduce powerand the touch screen mode can be selected exclusively. Whentransceiving, the transceiver mode can be selected exclusively forgreater throughput. In other cases however, the processing module 225can multiplex between the transceiver and touch screen modes to serviceboth functions for contemporaneous operation of touch screen duringcommunication. In particular, scans of inductive grid 320′ can bescheduled during gaps in transmission and reception to maintain thefunctionality of the touch screen while continuing to communicate withone or more remote stations. Further, with modifications to mode switch360 and/or switch matrix 364, the touch screen can operate in both modessimultaneously with some inductive elements of inductor grid 320″operating as an inductor for programmable antenna interface 368 andother inductive elements of inductor grid 320″ operating in conjunctionwith the touch screen, limiting the portion of the touch screenavailable for touch interactivity, but not limiting the availability ofthe entire touch screen for display purposes.

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a circuit inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, an RF integratedcircuit (IC) 50 is shown that implements communication device 10 inconjunction with microphone 60, touch screen 56 such as touch screen 8described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-14, memory 54, speaker 62, camera76, and other user interface devices 58, antenna interface 173 andwireline port 64. In addition, RF IC 50 includes a transceiver 358 withRF and baseband modules for formatting and modulating data into RFreal-time data 26 and non-real-time data 24 and transmitting this datavia the antenna interface 173 and further via an antenna. Further, RF IC50 includes an input/output module 71 with appropriate encoders anddecoders for communicating via the wireline connection 28 via wirelineport 64, an optional memory interface for communicating with off-chipmemory 54, a codec for encoding voice signals from microphone 60 intodigital voice signals, a touch screen interface for generating data fromtouch screen 56 in response to the actions of a user, a display driverfor driving the display of touch screen 56, such as by rendering a colorvideo signal, text, graphics, or other display data, and an audio driversuch as an audio amplifier for driving speaker 62 and one or more otherinterfaces, such as for interfacing with the camera 76 or the otherperipheral devices.

Off-chip power management circuit 95 includes one or more DC-DCconverters, voltage regulators, current regulators or other powersupplies for supplying the RF IC 50 and optionally the other componentsof communication device 10 and/or its peripheral devices with supplyvoltages and or currents (collectively power supply signals) that may berequired to power these devices. Off-chip power management circuit 95can operate from one or more batteries, line power and/or from otherpower sources, not shown. In particular, off-chip power managementmodule can selectively supply power supply signals of differentvoltages, currents or current limits or with adjustable voltages,currents or current limits in response to power mode signals receivedfrom the RF IC 50. RF IC 50 optionally includes an on-chip powermanagement circuit 95′ for replacing the off-chip power managementcircuit 95.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the RF IC 50 is a system on achip integrated circuit that includes a processing module 225 forexecuting a communication application for communicating with one or moreremote stations via transceiver 358 and optionally one or moreadditional applications of communications device 10. Such a processingdevice, for instance, may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The associated memory may be a single memory device or aplurality of memory devices that are either on-chip or off-chip such asmemory 54. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random accessmemory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamicmemory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital information.Note that when the processing module 225 implements one or more of itsfunctions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry, the associated memory storing the correspondingoperational instructions for this circuitry is embedded with thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of an RF transceiver 125 inaccordance an embodiment of the present invention. The RF transceiver125, such as transceiver 358, includes an RF transmitter 129, and an RFreceiver 127. The RF receiver 127 includes a RF front end 140, a downconversion module 142 and a receiver baseband processing module 144. TheRF transmitter 129 includes a transmitter baseband processing module146, an up conversion module 148, and a radio transmitter front-end 150.

As shown, the receiver and transmitter are each coupled to an antennathrough an antenna interface 173 that couples the transmit signal 155 tothe antenna to produce outbound RF signal 170 and couples inbound signal152 to produce received signal 153. While a single antenna isrepresented, the receiver and transmitter may share a multiple antennastructure that includes two or more antennas. In another embodiment, thereceiver and transmitter may share a multiple input multiple output(MIMO) antenna structure, diversity antenna structure, phased array orother controllable antenna structure that includes a plurality ofantennas. Each of these antennas may be fixed, programmable, and antennaarray or other antenna configuration.

In operation, the transmitter receives outbound data 162 from otherportions of its a host device, such as a communication applicationexecuted by processing module 225 or other source via the transmitterprocessing module 146. The transmitter processing module 146 processesthe outbound data 162 in accordance with a particular wirelesscommunication standard to produce baseband or low intermediate frequency(IF) transmit (TX) signals 164 that contain outbound data 162. Thebaseband or low IF TX signals 164 may be digital baseband signals (e.g.,have a zero IF) or digital low IF signals, where the low IF typicallywill be in a frequency range of one hundred kilohertz to a fewmegahertz. Note that the processing performed by the transmitterprocessing module 146 can include, but is not limited to, scrambling,encoding, puncturing, mapping, modulation, and/or digital baseband to IFconversion.

The up conversion module 148 includes a digital-to-analog conversion(DAC) module, a filtering and/or gain module, and a mixing section. TheDAC module converts the baseband or low IF TX signals 164 from thedigital domain to the analog domain. The filtering and/or gain modulefilters and/or adjusts the gain of the analog signals prior to providingit to the mixing section. The mixing section converts the analogbaseband or low IF signals into up-converted signals 166 based on atransmitter local oscillation.

The radio transmitter front end 150 includes a power amplifier and mayalso include a transmit filter module. The power amplifier amplifies theup-converted signals 166 to produce outbound RF signals 170, which maybe filtered by the transmitter filter module, if included. The antennastructure transmits the outbound RF signals 170 to a targeted devicesuch as a RF tag, base station, an access point and/or another wirelesscommunication device via antenna interface 173 coupled to an antennathat provides impedance matching and optional bandpass filtration.

The receiver receives inbound RF signals 152 via the antenna and antennainterface 173 that operate to process the inbound RF signal 152 intoreceived signal 153 for the receiver front-end 140. the receiverfront-end 140 can include a low noise amplifier and optional filtration.The down conversion module 142 includes a mixing section, an analog todigital conversion (ADC) module, and may also include a filtering and/orgain module. The mixing section converts the desired RF signal 154 intoa down converted signal 156 that is based on a receiver localoscillation, such as an analog baseband or low IF signal. The ADC moduleconverts the analog baseband or low IF signal into a digital baseband orlow IF signal. The filtering and/or gain module high pass and/or lowpass filters the digital baseband or low IF signal to produce a basebandor low IF signal 156. Note that the ordering of the ADC module andfiltering and/or gain module may be switched, such that the filteringand/or gain module is an analog module.

The receiver processing module 144 processes the baseband or low IFsignal 156 in accordance with a wireless communication protocol toproduce inbound data 160. The processing performed by the receiverprocessing module 144 includes, but is not limited to, digitalintermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, demapping,depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling.

FIG. 23 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a circuit inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, an RF integratedcircuit (IC) 50′ is shown that implements communication device 10 inconjunction with microphone 60, touch screen 56 such as touch screen 8described in conjunction with FIGS. 14-20, along with programmableantenna interface 368. The RF IC 50, operates in a similar function toRF IC 50 and includes many similar elements that are referred to bycommon reference numerals.

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of an RF transceiver 125 inaccordance an embodiment of the present invention. The RF transceiver125′, such as transceiver 358, includes an RF transmitter 129, and an RFreceiver 127. RF transceiver 125′ operates in a similar function to RFtransceiver 125 and includes many similar elements that are referred toby common reference numerals. However, programmable interface isconfigurable based on control signal 167 from processing module 225 aspreviously described.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more features and functionsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-24. In step 400, information isdisplayed via a display layer. In step 402, at least one selectionsignal is generated. In step 404, a selected one of a plurality ofinductive elements arranged on a single layer is selected in response tothe at least one selection signal. In step 406, the selected one of theplurality of inductive elements is driven. In step 408, a touch objectis detected in proximity to the selected one of the plurality ofinductive elements. In step 410, touch screen data is generated inresponse to detecting the touch object in proximity to the selected oneof the plurality of inductive elements.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of inductiveelements each include a single inductor. Step 406 can include detectingthe touch object in proximity to the selected one of the plurality ofinductive elements based on a measured self inductance of the singleinductor. Step 406 can also include executing a calibration procedure todetect an initial self inductance and step 410 can include generatingthe touch screen data based on a comparison of the measured selfinductance and the initial self inductance. In another embodiment, theplurality of inductive elements each include a inductor pair and step406 can include detecting the touch object in proximity to the selectedone of the plurality of inductive elements based on a mutual inductanceof the inductor pair.

The touch screen data can include a grid position associated with theselected one of the plurality of inductive elements. The at least oneselection signal can includes a row selection signal and a columnselection signal. Step 402 can include generating the row selectionsignal and the column selection signal to sequentially scan theplurality of inductive elements.

Step 406 can include generating an oscillation to drive the selected oneof the plurality of inductive elements and generating a sensing signalin response to the oscillation. Step 406 can include generating a pulseto drive the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements andgenerating a sensing signal in response to the pulse.

The touch object can include a finger, stylus or other object. Step 410can include detecting the touch object deflecting the display layer.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more features and functionsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-25. In step 420, information isdisplayed via a display layer. In step 422, at least one selectionsignal is generated. In step 424, a selected one of a plurality ofinductive elements is selected in response to the at least one selectionsignal. In step 426, the selected one of the plurality of inductiveelements is driven to detect a touch object in proximity to the selectedone of the plurality of inductive elements. In step 428, touch screendata is generated in response when the touch object is detected inproximity to the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements. Instep 430, a group of the plurality of inductive elements are coupledtogether to form an antenna via a first plurality of capacitors. In step432, the antenna formed by the group of the plurality of inductiveelements is coupled to the transceiver via at least one secondcapacitors to send and receive the RF signals.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more features and functionsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-26. In step 440, information isdisplayed via a display layer. In step 442, at least one selectionsignal is generated. In decision block 444, the method determineswhether a first or second mode of operation is selected. In a first modeof operation the method executes step 446 of selecting, in response tothe at least one selection signal, a selected one of a plurality ofinductive elements; step 448 of driving the selected one of theplurality of inductive elements to detect a touch object in proximity tothe selected one of the plurality of inductive elements; and step 450 ofgenerating touch screen data in response thereto. In a second mode ofoperation the method executes step 452 of coupling together a group ofthe plurality of inductive elements; and step 454 of coupling the groupof the plurality of inductive elements to the programmable antennainterface.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method inaccordance with the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more features and functionsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-27. In step 460, information isdisplayed via a display layer. In step 462, at least one selectionsignal is generated. In decision block 464, the method determineswhether a first or second mode of operation is selected. In a first modeof operation the method executes step 466 of selecting, in response tothe at least one selection signal, a selected one of a plurality ofinductive elements; step 468 of driving the selected one of theplurality of inductive elements to detect a touch object in proximity tothe selected one of the plurality of inductive elements; and step 470 ofgenerating touch screen data in response thereto. In a second mode ofoperation the method executes step 472 of coupling together a group ofthe plurality of inductive elements to form an antenna; and step 474 ofcoupling the antenna formed by the group of the plurality of inductiveelements to the transceiver to send and receive RF signals.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct couplingbetween items and/or indirect coupling between items via an interveningitem (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, anelement, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, theintervening item does not modify the information of a signal but mayadjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As mayfurther be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element iscoupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirectcoupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As mayeven further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that anitem includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s),etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may furtherinclude inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may stillfurther be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes directand/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “comparesfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items,signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when thedesired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude thansignal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude ofsignal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude ofsignal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that thefunctional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules andcomponents herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discretecomponents, application specific integrated circuits, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

The present invention has been described in conjunction with variousillustrative embodiments that include many optional functions andfeatures. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that thedisclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways, the functions andfeatures of these embodiments can be combined in other embodiments notexpressly shown, and may assume many embodiments other than thepreferred forms specifically set out and described above. Accordingly,it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications of theinvention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A communication device comprising: a processor that executes acommunication application; a transceiver, coupled to the processor, thatcommunicates radio frequency (RF) signals with at least one remotestation in accordance with the communication application; a touchscreen, coupled to the processor and the transceiver, that provides auser interface for the communication application, the touch screencomprising: a display layer for displaying information; an inductorgrid, coupled to display layer, that includes a plurality of inductiveelements; at least one switch matrix, coupled to the inductor grid, thatselects a selected one of the plurality of inductive elements inresponse to at least one selection signal in a first mode of operation,and that couples together a group of the plurality of inductive elementsto form an antenna in a second mode of operation; a dual mode driver,coupled to the at least one switch matrix and the inductor grid, thatgenerates the at least one selection signal and that: in the first modeof operation, drives the selected one of the plurality of inductiveelements to detect a touch object in proximity to the selected one ofthe plurality of inductive elements and that generates touch screen datain response thereto; and in a second mode of operation, couples theantenna formed by the group of the plurality of inductive elements tothe transceiver to send and receive the RF signals.
 2. The communicationdevice of claim 1 wherein the dual mode driver includes: a measurementcircuit that detects a touch object in proximity to the selected one ofthe plurality of inductive elements in the first mode of operation; acontroller for generating a control signal that indicates one of, afirst mode or operation and a second mode of operation; and a modeswitch, coupled to the controller, that responds to the control signalby: coupling the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements tothe measurement circuit when the control signal indicates the first modeof operation; and coupling the antenna formed by the group of theplurality of inductive elements to the transceiver when the controlsignal indicates the first mode of operation.
 3. The communicationdevice of claim 2 wherein the measurement circuit includes a signalgenerator for generating an oscillation to drive the selected one of theplurality of inductive elements and a sensing circuit that generates asensing signal in response to the oscillation.
 4. The communicationdevice of claim 2 wherein the measurement circuit includes a signalgenerator for generating a pulse to drive the selected one of theplurality of inductive elements and a sensing circuit that generates asensing signal in response to the pulse.
 5. The communication device ofclaim 1 wherein the plurality of inductive elements each include asingle inductor and wherein the driver detects the touch object inproximity to the selected one of the plurality of inductive elementsbased on a measured self inductance of the single inductor.
 6. Thecommunication device of claim 5 wherein the driver executes acalibration procedure to detect an initial self inductance, and whereinthe driver generates touch screen data based on a comparison of themeasured self inductance and the initial self inductance.
 7. Thecommunication device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of inductiveelements each include a inductor pair and wherein the driver detects thetouch object in proximity to the selected one of the plurality ofinductive elements based on a mutual inductance of the inductor pair. 8.The communication device of claim 1 wherein the touch screen dataincludes a grid position associated with the selected one of theplurality of inductive elements.
 9. The communication device of claim 1wherein the switch matrix includes a row matrix and a column matrix, theat least one selection signal includes a row selection signal and acolumn selection signals and the driver includes a row/column selectorthat generates the row selection signal and the column selection signalto sequentially scan the plurality of inductive elements.
 10. Thecommunication device of claim 1 wherein the touch object includes atleast one of: a finger; and a stylus.
 11. A touch screen for use in acommunication device having a transceiver that communicates radiofrequency (RF) signals with at least one remote station, the touchscreen comprising: a display layer for displaying information; aninductor grid, coupled to display layer, that includes a plurality ofinductive elements; at least one switch matrix, coupled to the inductorgrid, that selects a selected one of the plurality of inductive elementsin response to at least one selection signal in a first mode ofoperation, and that couples together a group of the plurality ofinductive elements to form an antenna in a second mode of operation; adual mode driver, coupled to the at least one switch matrix and theinductor grid, that generates the at least one selection signal andthat: in the first mode of operation, drives the selected one of theplurality of inductive elements to detect a touch object in proximity tothe selected one of the plurality of inductive elements and thatgenerates touch screen data in response thereto; and in a second mode ofoperation, couples the antenna formed by the group of the plurality ofinductive elements to the transceiver to send and receive the RFsignals.
 12. The touch screen of claim 11 wherein the dual mode driverincludes: a measurement circuit that detects a touch object in proximityto the selected one of the plurality of inductive elements in the firstmode of operation; a controller for generating a control signal thatindicates one of, a first mode or operation and a second mode ofoperation; and a mode switch, coupled to the controller, that respondsto the control signal by: coupling the selected one of the plurality ofinductive elements to the measurement circuit when the control signalindicates the first mode of operation; and coupling the antenna formedby the group of the plurality of inductive elements to the transceiverwhen the control signal indicates the first mode of operation.
 13. Thetouch screen of claim 12 wherein the measurement circuit includes asignal generator for generating an oscillation to drive the selected oneof the plurality of inductive elements and a sensing circuit thatgenerates a sensing signal in response to the oscillation.
 14. The touchscreen of claim 12 wherein the measurement circuit includes a signalgenerator for generating a pulse to drive the selected one of theplurality of inductive elements and a sensing circuit that generates asensing signal in response to the pulse.
 15. The touch screen of claim11 wherein the plurality of inductive elements each include a singleinductor and wherein the driver detects the touch object in proximity tothe selected one of the plurality of inductive elements based on ameasured self inductance of the single inductor.
 16. The touch screen ofclaim 15 wherein the driver executes a calibration procedure to detectan initial self inductance, and wherein the driver generates touchscreen data based on a comparison of the measured self inductance andthe initial self inductance.
 17. The touch screen of claim 11 whereinthe plurality of inductive elements each include a inductor pair andwherein the driver detects the touch object in proximity to the selectedone of the plurality of inductive elements based on a mutual inductanceof the inductor pair.
 18. The touch screen of claim 11 wherein theswitch matrix includes a row matrix and a column matrix, the at leastone selection signal includes a row selection signal and a columnselection signals and the driver includes a row/column selector thatgenerates the row selection signal and the column selection signal tosequentially scan the plurality of inductive elements.
 19. A method foruse in a touch screen of a communication device having a transceiverthat communicates radio frequency (RF) signals with at least one remotestation, the method comprising: displaying information via a displaylayer; generating at least one selection signal; in a first mode ofoperation: selecting, in response to the at least one selection signal,a selected one of a plurality of inductive elements; driving theselected one of the plurality of inductive elements to detect a touchobject in proximity to the selected one of the plurality of inductiveelements; and generating touch screen data in response thereto; in asecond mode of operation; coupling together a group of the plurality ofinductive elements to form an antenna in a second mode of operation; andcoupling the antenna formed by the group of the plurality of inductiveelements to the transceiver.
 20. The method of claim 19 whereingenerating touch screen data in response to detecting the touch objectin proximity to the selected one of the plurality of inductive elementsincludes detecting the touch object deflecting the display layer.